Argo-Hytos supplies system solutions to leading recycling company

16 June, 2017

Argo-Hytos UK has signed a contract with a leading company within the recycling industry to design, manufacture and supply special valve manifolds that are able to be easily adapted to suit two separate specifications of industrial power unit, 22kW & 37kW both with triple gear pumps. Argo-Hytos has so far supplied two power units to the company; one at each specified output rating.

Bob Buchanan, Argo-Hytos UK’s general manager, explained the background: “We initially discussed the project with representatives from the company at the Fluid Power & Systems exhibition in 2014, and then visited their premises for face-to-face meetings to gain a more in-depth picture of their specific requirements. The original concept we became involved in was itself a redesign on the then current supply of loose parts hosed together to suit the 22kW & 37kW units. So initially we combined the loose parts into three separate manifolds, on one side of the power unit was a 3 station cetop 8 manifold, on the other side a triple pump relief/unloader manifold was to be installed and finally a regeneration manifold for the main cylinder control. We supplied these manifolds/motor pump sets along with the filtration equipment as loose items and the customer assembled the full units.”

System Solution

However, as Bob Buchanan pointed out, Argo-Hytos UK then considered that the more flexible and convenient way forward would be to simplify and condense the operations by designing a unified manifold to combine two of the loose manifolds. This was achieved by working closely with the end customer to develop the design to best suit their application. Because Argo-Hytos UK is able to machine manifolds in-house, it set about transforming two manifold designs into the one special manifold.

This then comprises a triple pump relief/unloader feature in combination with a 3 station cetop 8 manifold, so reducing pipework, fittings and potential leak points. All these features were combined into a single 100 kg manifold block.

The power unit triple pump is controlled by three screw-in cartridges and 3 ventable relief valves. By combining the use of these 2 valves the entire system is able to unload or fully load the system for operation on any section individually. Argo-Hytos UK also improved the overall footprint flexibility of the power unit in that it can be fitted to either a left or right-handed machine.

Design knowhow

Argo-Hytos UK undertakes its own in-house design work using 3D modelling and hydraulic schematical design. The design and manufacturing process for the special blocks took approximately nine months in concept, and Argo-Hytos reports that after the new system became operational on the power units the customer was able to benefit from improved power unit performance and cycling times.

Ongoing supply

Following Argo-Hytos’s supply of the first two power units, the customer is now looking to source several more and it has also led to further designs on a new 7.5kW system being worked on together and orders placed. Bob Buchanan concluded: “We are often primarily seen as just a valve and filter component supplier, which we obviously are. However, many people do not realise that we are able to design and construct power units of this size (and smaller) that utilise core components we manufacture. The end result is a very cost-effective system solution. This project is an excellent example of the breadth of our true design and manufacturing capability.”